Introduction

Moving forward with this new normal of online lifestyle, the experience of pastors in conducting

online worship services can give us a wider perspective in terms of adapting this platform. In the

progressing effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, various churches were forced to adapt to the situation by

conducting online worship services. As studied by Barna Group, it showed that “new forms of religious

experience and expression are growing in popularity, drawing millions of people closer to God but

farther away from involvement in a congregational church.” (Barna Group, 2005)

In the Anglican Theological Review Volume 101 , Number 1, Tripp Hudgins stated that Sermons

can be created and shared so that the revelations in them are communicated across different platforms,

offering a means of being understood and recognized to people who also live beyond the western

mainstream.

Research Question

Doing Worship Online: Pastor's Experience

There are many questions that need to be answered concerning the Pastor’s experience of doing

Worship online. This study generally seeks to answer the following questions:

1. How do they describe their experience of having worship services online?

2. How did they adapt to online worship services? What is the transition that they did from face-to-

face gathering to worshiping via online?

3. What is the background of the pastor and the church?

 Overall, this research study aims to have a better perspective of how the church pastors are

coping up with the platform that is new to them. This study also aims to give recommendations to

improve conduct of online worship services in their respective churches for ministers who plan to have

or currently use this platform of worship.

Scope and Delimitation

The researcher’s discussion will be limited on the following:

1. Pastors that is inclusive within the generation’s "boomers" to "millennials"

2. Pastors who handles a congregation of 100-400 worshipers.

3. Pastors who have at least 5 years of service.

4. Pastors who conducts online worship service only after pandemic emerged.

Significance of the Study

This research aims to serve a certain need for the following groups and individuals:

Churches – This study aims to give a general view of how online worship services are conducted. This is

to help church who plans to adapt with this platform especially with the current pandemic that is

happening.

Pastors/Ministers – This study aims to help pastors and other ministers to have a better approach in

conducting online worship services based from the various experiences of other ministers. This also aims

to give recommendations to help in their preparations and approach in leading online worship.
Congregations – This wants to help the congregation to have better understanding of experiences of

pastors, and even the church itself, in adapting this new platform of worship. This is to give them idea of

the challenges of ministers just to bring the message of God’s Word to them.

1. Barna Group (2005), “Rapid Increase in Alternative Forms of The Church Are Changing the

Religious Landscape.” retrieved from https://www.barna.com/research/rapid-increase-in-

alternative-forms-of-the-church-are-changing-the-religious-landscape/.

2. Tripp Hudgins (2019), “Preaching Online”, Anglican Theological Review Volume 101, Number 1,

pp. 87, retrieved from https://www.anglicantheologicalreview.org/wp-

content/uploads/2020/03/101.1-Hudgins.pdf